Inmates at the Sokoto Correctional Centre have declared detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as their “president,” praising him for bringing order, discipline and improved welfare since his transfer to the facility.
According to accounts from within the prison, the inmates say Kanu’s presence has changed the atmosphere behind bars. They allegedly told visitors that the separatist leader “has become our president here,” claiming he mediates disputes, encourages non‑violence among prisoners and routinely insists that everyone obey prison rules. Some inmates were quoted as saying that, before his arrival, “there used to be frequent clashes and chaos,” but that Kanu now preaches calm and mutual respect.
Sources at the facility also say Kanu spends much of his time reading, praying and speaking with other inmates, who describe him as approachable and “very concerned about our welfare.” They credit him with pressing the authorities to ensure that prisoners get fair access to food, medical treatment and legal information, and say he regularly urges fellow inmates not to lose hope but to “prepare for life after prison with a new mindset.”
The unusual show of loyalty comes in the wake of Kanu’s recent conviction on terrorism‑related charges and his transfer from Abuja to Sokoto, his lawyers have strongly condemned transfer, tagged it as a strategy to isolate him from his legal team and supporters. Despite this, inmates say Kanu remains “calm and focused,” insisting that his struggle is for “justice, freedom and dignity for all oppressed people,” not just for one ethnic group.
Prison authorities have not officially commented on the inmates’ reported declaration, but rights advocates argue that the development underlines both Kanu’s influence and the poor conditions within Nigeria’s correctional system, where any figure seen as empathetic and organised can quickly become a rallying point for frustrated detainees.
